My hair has definitely seen brighter days. Those days I’ve gently massaged my scalp, covered it in olive oil and sat under the dryer. It’s even remembered the days I would religiously wear my satin scarf and take my Vivscal hair vitamins for extra nutrients.
Now, each day is a fight. At some point I aspire to hire a glam squad to visit me every morning to give me fierce hair and beat my face into red carpet-ready glamour. Until then, my hair (which I call Angela), will see more dark days then usual.
Caring for my hair is sometimes a dreadful task. From keeping it moisturized to keeping up with the latest trends and surfing CurlyNikki.com for style inspiration, I’m ready to retire.
Nonetheless if I want to keep the hair on my head I’ve got to whip my hair into shape pronto. This month I’ve made a commitment to take better care of my hair by doing the following:
- Drinking water – Since my experience in the ER a few days ago I’ve made drinking water a priority. You would NOT believe how much shine and luster my hair has with just tripling my water consumption. My skin is supple, my scalp is moisturized and my locs could not glisten any more beautifully in the sunshine. It’s a cheap beauty trick. Get on it pronto!
- Regular moisturizing – I used to only moisturize my hair when it got dry. It was a tremendous hassle and I don’t like to have gooey or oily residue on my hands. My quirks left my locs looking crunchy and ashy. Now I hydrate at least every three days before bed with some olive oil I spread through my hair and cover with my scarf.
- Steaming – I know that most of you are on that amazing huetiful system and steaming your hair to perfection. I’ve turned my shower into my personal oasis and letting the water get nice and steamy before stepping in. I’ve recently ditched my shower cap in favor of some shower TLC. At some point I’ll break down and get the real steamer but I’m loving the extra bit of time in the bathroom that gives me the opportunity to treat my hair and sing along to my Solange station on Pandora.
Don’t give up on your hair care maintenance plan. It can be tedious but not impossible!
H2o love it
gotta love that H2O
Steam does wonders for my hair. I love it!
Love your lip color! I had to simplify my hair routine, before my BC in July 2010 my motto was…I AM NOT A HAIR PERSON! Lol! I spritz twice a day with my water and aloe vera juice, seal with some jojoba oil or Qhemet Burdock Butter Cream. I <3 my hair!
Well,my issue was TIME MANAGEMENT. This has always been my Achilles heel. I work 11p to 7a. So, when i got home, i was ready to crash. Your body is confused after being up all night. Plus, my kid goes to school fro, 9:00-2:45. So, I had to get sleep, run errands, do my hair…AAUUUUGGGHH! What a mess. On top of everything else, I am transitioning, which means, MORE WORK! I really didn't feel like doing anything to my hair, which is a no-no!I also discovered that my hair does not like twists, which sux b-cuz alot of the styles that i admire are done in twists. So for a while, i kinda gave up, rocked a baseball cap and neglected my hair. Now, I wash my hair when i FIRST get home on my first day off. I do alot of braid outs and am thinking of BC ing and cornrolling my hair to keep it manipulated less often. Finally, I am moisturizing my hair and putting on my satin scarf, after breakfast, before i lay down. Those items are set out before I leave for work, so there is no excuse when i come in. It takes work. the hardest part for me: finding the routine b cuz i believe i can stick to it. I jsut had to fond what works for me.
Oh yes…what you wrote and the comments totally agree. I felt like I was a slave to my hair and I was living on my hairs time and not the other way around. It was really bothering me, so much so that I was thinking about doing another BC. Thank goodness my hair didn't suffer and I have found a way to work my hair into my lifestyle. Going natural IS a committment.
@LM- I have been where you are many many times. Specifically when i was in college in 2002 before the natural hair craze and the ease of finding styling options to try out on YT and other blogs, I did braid outs (when they were not called that lol :), I did the hat trick, and i did a huge fro, that i would either blow out first or just do it after my hair got stretched a few days after the braid out. I also did the front twisted or braided and the back with the fro or braid out. As for wigs they are a great option but can be pricey IF you dont know where to look. THere's one that continues to be in my arsenal, many companies sell their version of it with different names, depending on your hair texture, you just have to find one that works right for you, there's the Creta Girl, Evony, Tiffany Lace front, Danielle Lace front, Kimora Lace front, etc. My fave site is blackhairspray.com. Most of these pieces (especially Evony) are VERY low priced, you can find them for $13 and up, plus shipping on line, or at your local BSS. I think wigs are good to have in your arsenal, just because they are a protective style when you dont have the patience to pray your bantu knot out comes out right. But again, try the style ideas i suggested first and THEN see if you want to try a piece or two that are very low priced. Work with it, and it will work out.
I am trying to drink more water. Not just for my hair's sake but for overall health. I also am trying to be consistent with DCing. Thankfully, I found a decent one that doesn't require heat or a terribly long time to work so that has helped.
Thanks for this article. I have a few inches of chemical dye that I've been holding onto. My ends feel rough but the rest of my hair is nice and smooth (for the most part). I need to be able to pull my hair back in uniform, so I will gradually start cutting off the chemically dyed ends.
Miss TeeTee
Thanks for this timely article, it's an encouragement for me. I just started drinking more water again this week and notice the difference in my skin and hair already. Also, this week I decided to wear my hair in my version of a protective style everyday, which is a pinned up twist out to give my ends a needed break. I like to wear my hair out most of the time. I'm also moisturizing every night and twisting up my 6-7 inches of hair into about 12 twists which takes about 10-15 mins and in the morning another 5 minutes to undo and pin up loose hair. I've been pretty consistent with my deep conditioning, plastic cap under the dryer routine most weekw.
OMD….So true!!!! I've been such a lazy natural these past couple months. My wash and go's are the only thing keeping me going (and that's like once a week…yikes!!!) I can't remember the last time I steamed and boy do I NEED to start drinking some water. Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to buckle up 🙂
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I know that sometimes I am just too tired or too busy. So I try to make it up with a DC or nice massage. Honestly, I didn't know that being natural (how you are born) would take so much work, patience and energy!! But I am in this to win it!!
I went through a major health transformation a while ago and the main thing that has helped me has been dietary change and exercise. A diet high in nutrients and regular exercise have helped me and my hair tremendously.
Moisture moisture moisture….I just recently figured out that I've been doing it all wrong.
LM, i'm having the same problem right now. it's so annoying, but Thank good I'ma bit gifted at the art of … making things up. I crocheted about 3 hats that that i rotate in between when i don't feel like dealing with hair so, because my hair is about a mere 5 inches, I twist it up as if i was preparing a twistout, rock hats and scarves until wednesdays of thursdays, wear a twist out for the rest of the week until washday. since i have a little extra time on the weekend, that's when i deep condition or experiment with it. but it's back to twist beneath a hat on mondays. it's great for the bipolar weather we've been having in my area,a nd great protective styling too. i can't wait till it grows out. maybe i'll have more styling choices.
I love this thanks for the info and inspiration! BTW I love that you're Rocking the red lip!!!!!!!
-Lauren 🙂
Thanks so much for the support sis @anonymous 12:50 pm. Let me know when you get that huetiful!
@ LM – have you considered a cute cornrow style. My skills are EXTREMELY limited, but I found someone to cornrow my hair for about $25. With proper care I can make the style last about 2 weeks. This is a great site for style options – http://www.blackwomennaturalhairstyles.com/
Finding the TIME for hair maintenance is difficult for me. My hair care routine takes hours and it cuts into my study time and the time I need to complete school assignments. I have no idea what I am going to do when I start nursing classes in the fall. My hair is too short to bun, I have no money for wigs and extensions, and I do not have the skill set for most protective styles I've seen. I've practiced them a million times and, after 4-6 hours of tiresome twisting and pinning, I am left with a disaster on top of my head..time WASTED! I am at a loss, but will try another style this week. Praying for a miracle.
Saw you on page 40 of Essence May 2012! Woot woot!
I want that Huetiful too! I am trying to get myself into a twice weekly co-washing routine, because adding oils, moisturizers, or creams isn't doing it for me!
Again, congratulations sis!
I'm so feeling you on this! I'm getting so tired of the matienance! After finishing out this work week I'm going to braid my hair back up and adone my trusty wig. I'm wearing my hair in a high bun right now but found my self lightly pressing my nape area this morning. And that is a no no for me! I know my butt is TIRED,very IMPULSIVE move on my part!
Plus got a minor surgery on the foot coming up. there will be no standing for hours for me!